Southern Lake Huron Pilot Project
Learn more about the project and the Integrated Resource Planning process below.
About the project
The Ontario Energy Board directed Enbridge Gas to implement pilots to understand and evaluate how Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) can be implemented to avoid, delay or reduce facility projects. Enbridge Gas is executing a pilot project for homes and businesses of Enbridge Gas customers within the City of Sarnia and the Village of Point Edward in the County of Lambton. The pilot project area is unique because most of the project area is already equipped with meter reading technology that allows for data to be collected from customer’ meters, providing feedback on peak hour demand.
The pilot aims to better understand the impacts that enhanced targeted energy efficiency (ETEE) and demand response (DR) Integrated Resource Planning alternatives (IRPA) have on reducing the natural gas system’s peak period demand. Participation in the pilot programs will provide Enbridge Gas with the data and insight that can inform future system planning.
ETEE involves offering targeted energy efficiency residential and commercial programs that support a reduction in peak period natural gas demand.
The demand response program will provide residential customers, with natural gas central heating systems controlled by an eligible Wi-Fi-connected smart thermostat, with an incentive to enroll to allow their smart thermostat to be set back a few degrees by Enbridge Gas during peak demand response events in the winter heating season.
Enbridge Gas has launched the pilot under the name Sarnia Saves. The pilot program has residential and commercial energy efficiency programs. For more information, visit the Sarnia Saves residential website and the commercial website. You can also send an email to sarniasaves@enbridge.com with any questions or feedback.
Why we're doing it?
The pilot's purpose is to test and better understand the impacts that enhanced targeted energy efficiency (ETEE) and demand response have on reducing the natural gas system’s peak period demand and how to best design and deploy ETEE and demand response programs.
How will this impact me?
The pilot project has been designed to have no impact for the targeted communities other than the ability for customers to participate in the programs. Automated meter reading (AMR) technology is already installed on the majority of customer meters, which allows Enbridge Gas to collect hourly usage data. This will help us better understand how enhanced energy efficiency and demand response programs impact peak natural gas demand.
Collecting hourly data from meters equipped with AMR technology will not disrupt your service, nor will there be any additional charges on your bill.
What are the benefits?
The learnings from this pilot project are expected to support Enbridge's Ontario-wide system planning.
The pilot, similar to existing DSM programs, will give participating customers access to improve energy-efficiency and home comfort.
Regulatory updates
The Ontario Energy Board has approved the pilot project, and the decision on the pilot and its associated costs is now available.
What is IRP?
Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) is a natural gas planning strategy and process1. Through the IRP process, we forecast what energy demand will look like, determine whether a traditional pipe project or an alternative will meet the energy need, and then lay out a roadmap for how we’ll manage it. As part of this process, we gather input and feedback from communities on what matters most.
Non-pipeline alternatives can include:
- Demand side alternative:
- Lowering or shifting energy use through energy efficiency programs such as ETEE programs or demand response (DR) programs.
- Supply side alternative:
- Delivering more energy without adding new pipeline using compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquified natural gas (LNG).
- Adding supply through upstream deliveries.
Alternatives can be implemented individually or in combination to meet the system need cost effectively and within the required timeframe.
1 IRP Framework was published by the OEB on July 22, 2021.
Contact us
Please send an email to sarniasaves@enbridge.com with any questions or feedback.
